Neurofeedback

What is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is also known as ‘EEG biofeedback’ (where EEG refers to electroencephalography) or ‘Brain Training’ and is considered as an effective and evidence based approach and natural alternative to medication. With Neurofeedback the brain’s own capacity for change is used to reshape brain pathways. It is a way to directly train the brain to function better, resulting in improvements regarding business, sports and personal performance as well as various mental and physiological conditions.

Examples of mental and physiological conditions that could be supported by Neurofeedback are:

Addiction

Anger

Anxiety

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder

Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Dementia

Depression

Down Syndrome

Epilepsy

Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Learning difficulties

Migraine

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Post Cancer Cognitive Impairment (‘Chemo Brain)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Stress

Tinnitus

Vertigo

How does Neurofeedback work?

Although the technology behind Neurofeedback is complex, the process is simple, painless, and non-invasive. It is just learning. You learn to alter your brain activity the same way you learn every other skill. You learn through feedback and practice.

With Neurofeedback you will be guided by a form of feedback that was previously not available. During a Neurofeedback session you will get instantaneous information or feedback about changes in your brain’s electrical activity. This information is for example provided in video games (‘a car would go slower or faster’) or videos (‘the screen bigger or smaller’), that respond to the brain activity. And every half second, the brain activity is compared to your target or goal for change. You will get a signal and “reward” when meeting the goal. No signal or reward when not.

An example of where Neurofeedback could help is stress. With Neurofeedback training you would exercising the nerve pathways that control emotional reactivity and mental processing. As these neural pathways are exercised, you would develop a sense of what emotional control or bodily relaxation feels like, and might get excited about it. After practicing these exercises over a period of time, the pathways involved in emotion regulation and mental calming seem to work more efficiently. This enhanced brain activity becomes a natural part of the your functioning.